Bakugan: Defenders of the Core :: DS Game Review

A brand new game with a brand new story set in an alternate dimension. Sounds interesting, but is it enough to make this Bakugan fighting game a hit?

Alternate Story

In Bakugan: Defenders of the Core, you create your own
character and enter the world of Bakugan as Dan
and Marucho's friend. One day, while training in Bakugan
brawls, Interspace malfunctions and sends you to an
alternate dimension where the Resistance lost to the Vexos
and New Vestroia was destroyed.

In this world, the Vexos uses a special beam that breaks
the Guantlets of the heroes. Being the only one immune to
the beam's effects, your character must travel the world
and save this alternate dimension before finding your way
back home.

Courtesy of Activision

Courtesy of Activision

Courtesy of Activision

Courtesy of Activision

Courtesy of Activision

Alternate Gameplay

Your character must move carefully around Vexos guards and
use your Bakugans to get around traps and security and complete
your mission. Since you are the only one who can use them,
joining you are 20 of your favourite Bakugans, including Neo Dragonoid
and Aquos Elfin.

When you engage in a Bakugan brawl, you take full control over
every action of the Bakugan in a 3D fight. You can mix up weak
and strong attacks for combos and also fire projectiles and fly.
When you get enough energy, you can activate power cards to help.
Each fight happens in big, destructible environments.

Alternate Bakugan

Overall, Bakugan: Defenders of the Core is an interesting game. It
is more of a fighting and stealth game and nothing like the toy/card game that
it is based off of. If you want to get the real Bakugan experience,
you still need to get the real stuff yourself. However, fans
of the anime will like the new storyline and the free toy that comes
with the game.

The story is also interesting, but a bit short, most players can finish story mode in about
five hours. There is multiplayer, but no online play. Still, players can battle
their friends and, with DS downloaded play, they only need one copy of the game
to enjoy a simplified fight.